1911 front sight issues

kbialick

Inactive
I have a range officer 1911 that comes with adjustable target sights I replaced the front sight with a .180 x .100 Dawson precision fiber optic. I notice that I always shoot low and it’s not becuase the gun isn’t sighted in properly. I always seem to line the front sight lower when action shooting but bench rested I’m fine. ... would going with a thicker front sight like a .125 help me to see a better sight picture line going across the top ? I almost wish they made a sight that was a T so I wouldn’t even have to guess lol any help would be appreciated
 
I put a .170 x .10 on my RO, and it resulted in a great sight picture.

Your issue may be that, at speed, you are putting the dot in the middle of the rear notch, and because the dot is near the top of the post, that results in rounds going low.
If you are consciously looking for/at the dot rather than the edges of the sight post, you naturally will try to center the dot, rather than the post, in the notch,
 
I don't think a thicker front is going to help you. I think RickB is likely right. Some Dawson sight sets don't have as tall of a front sight. I'm used more to centering the dot but that doesn't always work.

Another test for the shooter, since it happens when not bench rested, is to chamber one round, release the magazine. Fire the chambered round, then dry fire after the slide cycles. Do this multiple times and after you've been shooting a bit. Sometimes you'll catch the tiniest bit of flinch, but if systematic you'll get a very nice group but off center.


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Shooting low is not a matter of the width of your front sight, it’s the height of it.

I had the issue of shooting low with my Ed Brown Kobra Carry since it’s set up for Combat shooting with the front sight needing to be overlapping the bullseye. My Ed Brown Special Forces is set for standard shooting with the bullseye at 6:00.
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Try that sight picture (3rd image) and see if it works for you.


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CDW4ME said:
I can't tolerate having to aim 6:00 like Image 1 above.
That's how most of us olde phartes were taught. Of course, it only works for a specific distance, a specific size of bullseye, and a specific ammo ... but that's the way we were taught.

It took me awhile to re-learn, using #2 from the example. And now they want me to use #3 ... not gonna happen.
 
Hi kbialick,

My SA 1911-A1 Loaded Model is dead on balls accurate (an industry term, according to Mona Lisa Vito in My Cousin Vinny). I've never had to tocuh my gun's sights.

Before changing sights, you might try other options, such as a different hold. Also, it might be a good idea to try other 1911-A1's before changing your sights. That way, if you find one that works for you, you'll know exactly what to buy. The fly in the ointment is that because it works on one gun doesn't mean it'll work on yours.

I do wish you the best of luck. You have an excellent handgun. I hope you're able to get it dialed in perfectly.
 
I'm using Dawson .100" fronts on some of my guns. I find that having more daylight around the front sight is helpful to me. Went from a .180" to a .160" on a couple guns, just so I don't have to crank up the rear adjustable sight up so high to get the POI I want. On fixed sight guns, I have several times fitted a new front to get the POI where I want it.

Since you have an adjustable rear, what about just adjusting it higher to get the POI where you want it?
 
I usually use the 6 o'clock hold. Never had an issue.

I think a problem is that many folks use the dots to aim with. I use them only for defensive work in low light conditions where I can't see the black on black sights and where I don't expect anything but crude but effective accuracy. In daylight I simply ignore whatever dot that is on the sights.

tipoc
 
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